Monday, January 19, 2009

We're Looking for a Bit of Advice

Our dad is going away next week for several months. Mum is looking for some advice on helping us to adjust. When dad is away on short trips, we tend to mope a bit. I will take up a position by the front door when it starts getting dark and not want to move till morning, and Fui runs to the window everytime he hears a car.

Mum has a blanket under the sheet for dad to sleep on and get him smell on, and will keep a couple of his worn shirts. She is going to seal them up, so she can bring one out every few weeks and keep his smell around. She is at a bit of a loss though about what else she can do. If anyone has any experience with this kind of thing, we would love to hear what you did.

Sorry we haven't really been in this situation - there's just us and our Mum, and we have board somewhere if she goes away. It is a good idea to have your Dad's smell around like your Mum is planning - we're just not sure what else you can do? Has your Mum tried Feliway as a way to soothe anxiety? We've read that other cats have used Bach's Rescue Remedy as another way to soothe anxiety, although we haven't tried it. Sorry we don't have any better ideas - hope you kitties are okay while your Dad is away,

Aww, you are going to miss your Dad but he will be back. We agree, stinky-stinky is the way to go. Some Feliway diffusers or spray around the doors and windows might help as these are places where insecurity can happen - waiting for Dad/people in and out etc. Save LOTS of your Dad's underwear, socks and shirts - ask him to wear them until he really is humming - more stink the better. If da flies are following him - even better again (yum) Packing the stinky stuff away then bringing them out is a brilliant idea. If you have any stinky shoes or boots around they will be good too. If you run out of stinky stuff he could maybe send re-stinked up stuff in the post too? We hope you both don't get too sad whilst your Dad is away. Love those graphics, very cool!

Whicky Wuudler

PS: Another thing that might help but sounds a bit bonkers, is if your Mum can avoid doing too much consoling of the pair of you. A bit like on firework nights when consoling us a lot can make we cats think we are right to be worried/angsty. This one is hard as your Mom will be missing him too and consoling is natural.

I can't add much to what advice has already been given. I'm guessing after the first week, they will adjust. It will be hard on all of you, but hopefully the time will pass quickly and you'll all be together again. We adore those graphics!

We have nothing to add to the advice already given, Sorry! W are now hoping that the time will just fly by... You'll see, your dad will be back in no time. Still, it must be so hard on your mom, too! Purrs

Wow!!! That is a long time for your Dad to be gone!! I am sure with the shirts and your Mom there you will be fine :) You will go nuts when he comes back too,heeheeIt was nice to see the little kitties having fun yesterday !! So much energy ;:o Have fun guys!!

Well, I mope when dad is gone too. But in my case, the longest dad has ever been gone was 2 weeks, and I stopped waiting for him at the door after about a week. I was kind of scared of him for a couple of hours when he came back, too, but then he started petting me, and I remembered who he was.

The blanket and shirts are a good idea. As for helping the two of you cope, the best thing your mom can do is try and maintain a schedule, so that at least they don't have too many surprises to deal with.

Henry and I are sad that your daddy is going away. Once, a long time ago, Mom left me for a couple months, and it was very hard. The only things I can think of are a recorded video with him on it, or even a voice recording. Your smells ideas are wonderful. Oh, and maybe a big picture of him? Sorry I'm not a good advise giver. Stay close to your Mom though, cause she's going to miss him bunches too!